Ex-OPA staff who is accused of theft fails to show up at hearing

A former employee of the Office of the Public Auditor failed to show up at a status conference yesterday in Superior Court in connection with a theft case filed against her.

As a result, Associate Judge Joseph Camacho issued a bench warrant against Violeta Agulto Diaz if she fails to appear at her next status conference on Jan. 31.

Diaz’s counsel, assistant public defender Nancy Dominski, appeared in court. Assistant attorney general Heather Barcinas represented the government.

The Office of the Attorney General charged Diaz with theft last October. She was accused of taking money from OPA’s petty cash on Aug. 8, 2016. No other details were provided.

Saipan Tribune learned that Diaz used to work as an administrative assistant with OPA. She left OPA in 2016.

Diaz was not arrested; she was only summoned to appear in court last Nov. 20. She appeared at the Nov. 20 hearing and the Office of the Public Defender was appointed as her counsel.